The history of acceptance of new theories frequently shows the following steps: At first the new idea is treated as pure nonsense, not worth looking at. Then comes a time when a multitude of contradictory objections are raised, such as: the new theory is too fancy, or merely a new terminology; it is not fruitful, or simply wrong. Finally a state is reached when everyone seems to claim that he had always followed this theory. This usually marks the last state before general acceptance.
Interpretation
New ideas often face skepticism before gaining acceptance, illustrating the challenging journey of scientific theories. Over time, criticisms fade, and the ideas are embraced as obvious truths.
Kurt Lewin highlights the typical progression of how innovative theories are received in scientific discourse. Initially dismissed as nonsense, these ideas attract criticism and skepticism as they challenge established norms. However, with time, as they gain traction and credibility, the very same theories are eventually embraced and recognized, often with individuals claiming they have always supported them. This cycle emphasizes the sometimes arduous path of acceptance for groundbreaking thoughts and innovations.
In practice
In a science class discussing the evolution of theories, this quote can emphasize the importance of remaining open to new ideas.
The American culture ideal of the "self-made-man," of everyone "standing on his own feet" seemed as tragic a picture as the initiative-destroying dependence on a benevolent despot. He felt and perceived clearly that we all need continuous help from each other, and that this type of interdependence is the greatest challenge to maturity of individual and group functioning.
Learning is more effective when it is an active rather than a passive process.
If you want truly to understand something, try to change it.
Fortunately I experienced Max Wertheimer's teaching in Berlin and collaborated for over a decade with Wolfgang Köhler. I need not emphasize my debts to these outstanding personalities. The fundamental ideas of Gestalt theory are the foundation of all our investigations in the field of the will, of affection, and of the personality.
Modern science is fast-moving, and no laboratory can exist for long with a program based on old facilities. Innovation and renewal are required to keep a laboratory on the frontiers of science.
To the extent that we even understand string theory, it may imply a massive number of possible different universes with different laws of physics in each universe, and there may be no way of distinguishing between them or saying why the laws of physics are the way they are. And if I can predict anything, then I haven't explained anything.
If we die, do not mourn for us. This is a risky business we're in, and we accept those risks. The space program is too valuable to this country to be halted for too long if a disaster should ever happen.
It's not going to be just humans colonizing space, it's going to be life moving out from the Earth, moving it into its kingdom. And the kingdom of life, of course, is going to be the universe.
While I thought myself employed only in forming a nomenclature, and while I proposed to myself nothing more than to improve the chemical language, my work transformed itself by degrees, without my being able to prevent it, into a treatise upon the Elements of Chemistry.
Everything was so new - the whole idea of going into space was new and daring. There were no textbooks, so we had to write them.
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